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Key events since Catalonia's independence vote

27 Oct 2017 - 22:46

Spanish Guardia Civil guards drag a man outside a polling station in Sant Julia de Ramison, October 1, 2017 on the day of a referendum on independence for Catalonia banned by Madrid (AFP / Raymond Roig)

AFP

Madrid: As Catalonia's independence crisis deepens, here are the key events that have rocked the region since this month's referendum on splitting from Spain.

October 1: Violence-hit referendum

Hundreds of thousands of Catalans vote in an independence referendum that goes ahead despite a court ban deeming it unconstitutional.

Spanish riot police try to block the vote. Shocking footage emerges of them using batons and rubber bullets on crowds and roughing up voters.

The Catalan government says 90 percent of those who voted backed independence, but turnout was only 43 percent as many who oppose a split boycotted the referendum.

October 3: General strike

A strike called by unions and political groups disrupts Barcelona's port, transport and some businesses. Up to 700,000 people demonstrate in the city against police violence.

King Felipe VI accuses Catalan leaders of threatening Spain's stability and urges the state to defend "constitutional order".

October 5: Business exodus

Banco Sabadell, Catalonia's second largest bank, announces it will shift its registered domicile out of the region. More than 1,600 companies follow suit.

October 7-8: Mass protests

Tens of thousands of people demonstrate across Spain on October 7, some demanding unity, others demanding dialogue. The next day hundreds of thousands march in Barcelona to back unity with Spain.

October 10: 'Suspended' independence declaration

In a move that sparks widespread confusion, Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and his separatist allies sign a declaration of independence, but say they are suspending its implementation to allow for time for negotiations with Madrid.

The next day, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy gives Puigdemont until October 16 to clarify his stance.

October 16: Separatists detained

Puigdemont refuses to say whether he had declared independence and instead calls for dialogue. Madrid gives him an extended deadline of October 19 to say whether he is planning to secede.

A court orders the leaders of two powerful grassroots independence groups, Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez, to be detained pending an investigation into sedition charges.

October 21: Spain to sack Catalan government

Rajoy takes drastic steps to stop Catalonia breaking away, employing previously unused constitutional powers under Article 155 to seek the dismissal of Puigdemont's government and new elections for the Catalan parliament.

Puigdemont accuses Rajoy of "the worst attack on institutions and Catalan people" since Spain's dictatorship and later turns down an invitation to address the Senate to state his case for independence.

October 26: No regional elections

Puigdemont says he considered calling elections to stave off the central government's takeover bid, but received "no guarantees" to make this possible.

October 27: Takeover vs independence

Catalan lawmakers approve a motion by 70 votes to 10 to declare independence, a narrow majority in the 135-member assembly, as many opposition members walk out. Tens of thousands of independence supporters gathered outside cheer as the outcome is announced.